Protecting your family starts with safety.
Locked Guns Save Lives.
Firearms are the leading cause of death in children in the United States — most of which come from accidental discharges and suicides. While research shows that most gun owners own firearms for protection, there’s more we can do to protect our family from our firearms. Learn the simple steps you can take to keep your family safe.
Three Simple Steps to Firearm Safety
Unload your weapon and use a trigger or cable lock to disable the firearm.
Removing the magazine isn’t enough.
Lock unloaded firearms in a secure case or safe, separate from ammunition.
Simply hiding them is asking for them to be found.
Teach your kids what to do if they find a gun.
Ask adults around them how their guns are secured.
Your Rights. Your Responsibility.
Just like voting and driving, our right to own firearms comes with a set of responsibilities. Using a gun safe, trigger lock and other safety measures not only helps protect your family from accidents, it protects you from legal consequences. Because when tragedy strikes, “I didn’t think it would happen to me,” isn’t a viable legal defense. As a gun owner, you should know both your rights and your responsibilities.
It’s the law.
In Texas, if a child under 17 gains access to a loaded firearm and you're found criminally negligent, you could face criminal charges. Safe storage isn’t just responsible
— it’s required.
Know the Facts
Because what you don’t know
can put your loved ones at risk.
While most gun owners say safety is a priority, research shows that more than 50% of gun owners in Bexar County keep a loaded, easily accessible gun in their home at least some of the time. The safest way to store a firearm is locked, unloaded and separate from ammunition. It’s not about bad intentions — it’s about good habits.
Yes. Safe storage isn’t just about your own household — it’s about anyone who enters your home. Friends, family, neighbors, service workers, guests — even adults can make dangerous assumptions. And if someone in your life is struggling with mental health, access to a firearm can make a fleeting crisis irreversible. Responsible ownership means thinking ahead for every possibility.
The gold standard is this: keep the firearm unloaded, secured with a trigger or cable lock, and stored in a locked container, safe, or lockbox. Ammunition should be stored separately. These small barriers make a massive difference when it comes to preventing accidents, suicides, and tragedies. Hiding a gun isn’t the same as securing it — and it’s not enough.
Quick access and safe storage aren’t mutually exclusive. Biometric safes, keypad lockboxes, and other modern storage solutions give you fast access when you need it — while keeping your gun secure when you don’t. Emergencies are rare. Accidents are more common. You can protect your home and your family by using tools that do both.
Kids don’t need to be scared to be safe — they need to be informed. Start early, keep it simple, and make it clear that guns are not toys. Let them know what to do if they ever come across one: Don’t touch it. Leave the area. Tell an adult. Revisit the conversation often, especially as they get older and more independent.
It might feel awkward at first, but asking someone about gun storage is no different than asking about seat belts, allergies, or whether there’s a pool in the backyard. You're not accusing — you're protecting. A simple question like, “Hey, do you keep your firearms secured?” can open the door to a safer environment for your child and others.
United for Safety. From All Sides.
Gun safety isn’t a political issue. It’s a public safety issue. And here in Bexar County, we’re bringing together voices from every part of our community to lead the charge — including firearm retailers, health care providers, advocacy groups, and grassroots organizers.
These partners don’t always agree on everything. But they all agree on this: keeping guns secured keeps families safer. We’re proud to stand with organizations who are using their platforms to spread a life-saving message. We invite you to join the effort.
Our Community Partners
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Big Mama’s Safe House Eagles Flight Advocacy and Outreach HUG ME Ink Kids SAFE foundation King of Glory of San Antonio Madonna Center Inc. Masters Leadership
Monster Moms Inc Mother Lost Child Inc. National African American |
River City Tactical SA Youth San Antonio Rising Stars, Inc. South Texas Youth for Christ Texas Gun Shows The Urban Apostles This Is 4 My Girlz, Inc. Southwest Voter YMCA of Greater San Antonio Youth Entrepreneur
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Tools You Can Use
Whether you sell firearms, work in public health, run a nonprofit or serve your community in another way – you can help reduce firearm-related accidents, injuries and deaths. Our Partner Toolkit is here to help make it easier for you to share gun safety information with your own community and show people what it means to Bexar Responsibly.
Download ready-to-use materials for retail spaces, medical offices, classrooms, faith gatherings, social media and more. Let’s trigger change together.
Partner Toolkit
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